Women Of Naggar (quick 5 min sketches)
DADIJI
Dadiji is Vandana didi’s mother in-law. I got an opportunity to learn Racch from her and during that time we had various conversations in which she told me that they started weaving pattus at their own as they didn’t have money to buy them. She is the eldest amongst three sisters. She had woven pattus for both her sisters on their weddings. She still wears pattu regularly and beliefs that she will fall ill if she doesn’t wear pattu as she has become very used to the pattu.
VANDANA DIDI
Vandana Didi is a member of the Kulluvi Weaves Self Help Group. She does knitting, weaves on khadi and makes mandari.
CHACHIJI
Chachiji is younger sister of Dadiji ( Vandana didi's In- Law). I had an opportunity to learn Mandari and Pulla chappals from her.
It was very fascinating for me to hear that she used to travel from Sharan(village) to Naggar , 9 km daily only too give her elder sister milk. She shares a beautiful relation with her sisters.
DADI
Dadi is originally from Lahaul and shifted to Naggar after her marriage. She looks after the cow and also does knitting. She is a member of the Kulluvi Weaves Self Help Group and has given her some space of her house to run the group.
KUSUM DIDI
Kusum didi is a member of the Kulluvi Weaves Self Help Group. She has three kids in which two of them are twins. While one of the conversations with her she opened up her life to me.
“Maine bhaag ke shaadi kit hi, toh meri saas mujhse khush nahi thi aur mujhse baat nahi karti thi. Unke aur mere Rishte ko sudharne ke liye maine chaar mahine main unke barah pattu bana ke diya, par phir bhi nakamiyab rahi. Mera pehela beta hua tab bhi unhone baat nahi ki. Jab main Raghu aur Raghav ko ghar lekar aayi tab who maani aur ab hum dono ke beech sab theek hai.” Kusum Didi
CHAMPA DIDI
Champa didi is Kusum didi’s Mother in- law. She has been there throughout our visit to Naggar. She does knitting and mandarin making.
She has two sons and a daughter, Sapna didi who is also a part of the Kulluvi Self Help Group. Her house is in Bardaour, 8 km down Naggar. She also does Knitting and weaves on Khaddi (small loom).
RENU DIDI
Renu didi is Kusum didi’s elder sister and a member of the Kulluvi Weaves Self Help Group. She is from Barnout. While talking to her she told me how each village has its own Devi Devta and was telling me various stories about her childhood.
